So You Want to Become a Clinical Informaticist?

What is a Clinical Informaticist?

clinical informaticists use data and analysis to improve patient outcomes

Playing with Data While Helping Others

Where to Start

A Formal Educational Program -

Pros- Availability of research options, learn from experienced faculty, gain experience with the latest and greatest software, tools, and techniques, understand all the knowledge required for a clinical informaticist position, more favorable job prospects upon graduation

Cons - Taking a year or two from earning income, expensive, may require a relocation

Exploring Options Within Your Current Position

Pros - You don't have to quit your job, you can gain "real" experience you can put on a resume, you can test drive the field without making a big change

Cons- You must work in an organization that can implements principles and practices of clinical informatics such as a hospital, small provider's office, clinic, insurance co, etc.

An Informal Education Program

Pros - Affordable, you don't have to quite your day job, you can feel out the waters a bit more before diving in

Cons - Landing a position this way would be more difficult – but easy enough if you're a self-starter and can tackle some open source projects or publish some articles